Hello, I’ve been your news editor for the past few months, and various other things before that. I’d like to tell you a bit about my experience of volunteering with the Hastings Independent. A month before I walked into the…

Hastings Pier, due to reopen in Spring this year, welcomed over 100 potential volunteers last Tuesday (8th March) at the White Rock Hotel, Hastings. The recruitment day was part of a drive to fill four volunteer roles; Event Assistant Volunteer,…

Last issue, we had a few people get in touch to object to our use of the word 'Hastonians' on the front cover. The correct word, they said, was 'Hastingers', which harks back to the Anglo-Saxon tribe the Hæstingas, who…

Supermarket chain Asda has confirmed it is reinstating food donation points in all its stores. The supermarket had previously said it would remove unmanned donation points, as of 1st March. In the St Leonards store, this meant Hastings Food Bank, the Seaview Project,…

Photo by Gesine Garz Last week we surveyed our readers about the upcoming EU referendum. Here’s what they told us. Just under two thirds (64%) told us they would vote to remain in the EU, while nearly a third (28%)…

Ever wanted to be a mermaid? Well now’s your chance – there’s a new mermaid academy (yes, you read that right) in town. Monofin Mermaids, which has recently relocated from Greece to Hastings, teaches children and adults alike how to…

On 23rd June, Britain (and others) will vote on whether to remain in the European Union or leave. Here's the BBC's round up of the main national arguments for and against. But what will it mean for us here in…

There was chuffing good news in Alexandra Park last weekend, as the miniature railway puffed back into life for its official grand opening. It was taken over by in November last year by Dan Radcliffe, who also owns Hastings Miniature…

Hastings Mosque joined more than 80 others across the UK in opening its doors for Visit My Mosque day on Sunday 7th February. The event was organised by the Muslim Council of Britain to “provide a platform for Muslims to…

The first calendar, for 2015, was inspired by a regular coming into the Lord Nelson and letting his hair down out of its usual ponytail, writes Paddy Boyle. Immediately, the wisecracks started about his resemblance to Jesus and some of the other…